Dental plate



June 29, 1937. A. w. BALLARDIE 2,035,057

I DENTAL PLATE Filed June 21, 1935 INVENTOR,

BY 1; Jim

A TTORNE Y Patented June 29, 1937 STTE A'iE'i' OFFIQE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in dental plates.

It is a Well known fact that dental plates of the kind now commonly used embody constructions which prevent the free circulation of saliva throughout the mouth. The sides of the plate act as barriers and prevent the normal free passage of saliva from one part of the mouth to the other, thereby causing a number of objectionable conditions to occur which until my invention has remained uncorrected.

The primary object of my invention is to pro vide an improved dental plate embodying a novel construction which permits the free and unobstructed circulation of saliva throughout the mouth.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved dental plate of novel design and construction which permits the free circulation of saliva throughout the mouth, thereby contributing in a large measure to the restoration of normal conditions within the mouth while the plate is being used. A dental plate constructed in accordance with my invention permits the free circulation of saliva throughout the mouth, and food particles which would ordinarily become lodged on plates of the kind now commonly used, are carried away in the normal manner by the circulating saliva, thereby greatly improving the cleanliness, comfort and general appearance of the plate. The free circulation of saliva throughout the mouth during the use of my improved dental plate improves the suction effect by which the plate is ordinarily held against the gums and walls of the mouth, thereby assisting in a large measure to the firm holding of the plate in a proper and comfortable position.

My invention includes other objects, advantages and novel features of construction more 40 particularly described hereinafter and which will be apparent from the accompanying drawing i1- lustrating the preferred embodiments of the same.

In the said drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a dental plate adapted to be used in the upper part of the mouth;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on a line passing through the front and rear parts of the plate; 50 and Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a dental plate adapted to be used in the lower part of the mouth.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing the numeral I designates the body portion of a plate 55 which is arched as at 2 in the usual manner to conform to the dental arch of the mouth of the person using it. The body portion of the plate is provided with a tapered upturned marginal flange 3 which, in conjunction with the said body portion, forms an open chamber 4 extending substantially about the entire upper portion of the denture, and into which the gum tissues of the month are adapted to fit. The plate at points beneath the open chamber 4, is provided with the usual artificial gum portion 5 within which are securely embedded a plurality of depending teeth 6. So as to provide means for allowing saliva to fiow from the inner portion of the mouth near Where the salivary glands are located, to the space located between the persons lips and the front side of the denture, I have provided a plurality of substantially horizontal passageways or holes I in the plate at points in the artificial gum portion 5 preferably between the bases of certain of the teeth 6. The passageways or holes I may be of any desired number, size and shape, and their positions in the denture may vary in accordance with the particular reactions or requirements of the difierent persons using the plates. The saliva passing from the lingual side of the plate to the labial side thereof through the passageways or holes I proceeds upwardly and around the marginal flange 3, and causes a seal to be formed around the areas where the gum tissues and the denture contact with one another, thereby intensifying the suction eiiect between the gum tissues and the plate.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, a lower dental plate 3 may be provided at its front side at points near the base of certain of the teeth 6 with a plurality of substantially horizontal passageways or holes I to permit the free passage of saliva from the lower part of the mouth located beneath and near the base of the tongue to the space behind the lower lips.

It is apparent to those skilled in the art that my invention is susceptible to various and numerous modifications and changes in regard to form, shape and minor details of construction. It is therefore to be understood that the appended claims shall determine the scope of my invention rather than the exact disclosures herein made.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A denture comprising a plate having an arcuate chamber at its upper side within which a persons gum tissues are normally positioned, a series of depending teeth mounted in the plate, and one or more passageways for saliva extending through the plate at points near the base of arched body portion, an upturned marginal flange extending from the body portion Which normally contacts the outside of a persons gum tissues, the said marginal flange and the arched body portion forming a chamber for the positioning of a persons gum tissues, and one or more saliva passageways extending through the plate at points beneath but not in communication with the said chamber.

ALFRED W. BALLARDIE. 

